Women's Rowing

Pioneer Teams Receive NCAA Public Recognition Awards

FAIRFIELD, CT -- On Tuesday, the NCAA announced their Public Recognition Awards with the Sacred Heart's men's indoor track and field, men's volleyball, women's cross country and rowing teams being recognized for their academic achievments. These awards are given each year to teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with respect to their Academic Progress Rates (APRs). The SHU volleyball and rowing programs have earned Public Recognition Awards in each of the last six years.

The NCAA honored 38 Northeast Conference (NEC) teams from more than 900 across the nation with public recognition awards for exceptional academic performance. The 38 teams represent 22 sports from 11 NEC institutions. The 38 Public Recognition awards doubled the NEC's total from a year ago.

"The Northeast Conference's commitment to academic success is clearly demonstrated by the outstanding accomplishments of these programs," said Noreen Morris, NEC Commissioner. "We are incredibly proud of the academic achievements of our student-athletes, and celebrate the dedication our coaches and administrators continually place on the importance education and learning."

Each year the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear APR. The announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports.

The 909 teams publicly recognized this year for high achievement represent 14 percent of the 6,385 eligible Division I teams. The list includes 525 women's teams and 384 men's or mixed squads. A total of 239 institutions, out of 335 Division I colleges and universities, placed at least one team on the top APR list. Last year, 841 teams were recognized.

By measuring eligibility and retention each semester or quarter, the APR provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years.

Top-performing teams this year posted APR scores ranging from 977 to a perfect 1,000.

"Most student-athletes excel at balancing their academic and athletics commitments, yet each year there are those who perform at extraordinary levels," said Mark Emmert, NCAA President . "By achieving the highest levels of academic success as a team, these young men and women truly embody what it means to be a successful NCAA student-athlete."

Multiyear APRs for all Division I sports teams will be announced on May 24.